It doesn’t really matter on the Popeyes since the Sufa, or other F-16s, can’t carry them. At least not the version in the box. They may be able to carry the Have Lite “lightweight” version, but I believe what’s in the box is the original 3000 lb Have Nap version. What’s in the box is best saved for use on the Ra’am.

There’s a huge difference. WNW pretty much enforces the same price anywhere in the world, and it’s the same on all of their kits. This is one particular importer/distributor in one country on one kit. Other HB kits are sold in the US at discounts. Why the difference on this particular kit?
I’ll be very interested to see if Squadron has the kit in stock and then has some sort of 10-20-30% off Christmas sale, where you can get a discount if you buy from Squadron, while other companies are forced to sell the kit at the MSRP that Squadron themselves set.

Its attached to a connection inside the nose of the launch rail, and automatically severed when the missile is launched. It’s not normally visible when the missile when the missile is on the rail. I’d cut it off when mounting it on a rail.
Click the “in action” tab in this link. It shows a piece of test equipment attached to the umbilical connection inside the launch rail, but the connection is the same.
http://www.marvintest.com/Product.aspx?Model=MTS-3060+AGM-65
This photo shows the missile side of a launch rail. Note the rectangular cavity in the nose of the rail. That’s where the umbilical fits in.

There are Magics in the Italeri Mirage kits, although I think the nose is too long, like they measured with a seeker cap, but didn’t really represent the cap.
Fortunately, I’ve got the Skyraider Model Designs conversion and decals squirreled away.

Hobby Boss and Trumpeter have a relationship and have scaled up/down the others molds in the past. Likely if they did it for the B-24, a 1/48 version would come out in a Trumpeter box. However, if past history is a guide, very few things get fixed.

Not sure why MMD/Squadron decided to play this pricing game with this particular kit, but it assures that I won’t be buying one from them, or anyone else in the US, at this insane price when it’s half the price overseas. Good job, Squadron!

Are you doing an early or a late French Cruz? For later ones, they had the 4 radial spokes on the AB ring, not 5, and the nozzle petal stiffeners were solid not perforated.
This thread shows the differences in the two Aires exhausts. You want the second set, that matches the post-79 exhaust photo linked earlier.
https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/69903-aires-132-f-8-exhaust-differences/

What the? $250, like everywhere else in the US. I don’t see how Hannants can sell the kit for $140 USD, unless the US importer is forcing some fixed high pricing on the kit. At this point, might as well get it from GB, since I can’t see shipping being $110.
I simply refuse to pay $250 for the kit, especially with the issues like the turret seams and simplified engines. Maybe if Squadron has it available during a Christmas sale, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the kit go out of stock just before any sale.